Beating Alabama
Leading a 29-24 win in 2012 over No. 1 and eventual national champion Crimson Tide on their home field in Tuscaloosa, Ala., gave him the moment that helped make him the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. less

Beating Alabama
Leading a 29-24 win in 2012 over No. 1 and eventual national champion Crimson Tide on their home field in Tuscaloosa, Ala., gave him the moment that helped make him the first freshman to win ... more

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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2013 Cotton Bowl winner
Set Cotton record with 516 total yards and all-bowl QB record with 229 rushing yards in 41-13 win over Oklahoma.

2013 Cotton Bowl winner
Set Cotton record with 516 total yards and all-bowl QB record with 229 rushing yards in 41-13 win over Oklahoma.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Going out in style
Trailing 38-17 at halftime, Manziel pilots 52-48 comeback victory over Duke in the 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl with 455 total yards, five TDs.

Going out in style
Trailing 38-17 at halftime, Manziel pilots 52-48 comeback victory over Duke in the 2013 Chick-fil-A Bowl with 455 total yards, five TDs.

COLLEGE STATION – Johnny Manziel has long used doubters of his abilities to motivate him – and Nolan Nawrocki of NFL.com has provided Manziel plenty of extra motivation headed into May’s NFL draft. In fact, Nawrocki, who’s long liked to shake it up in his evaluations, might have moved to the top of Manziel’s motivational list.

Johnny Manziel has been training for the NFL draft in San Diego. The QB is determined to be the No. 1 pick. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle)

“Suspect intangibles – not a leader by example or known to inspire by his words. Carries a sense of entitlement and prima-donna arrogance seeking out the bright lights of Hollywood. Is known to party too much and is drawn to all the trappings of the game. Lacks ideal starting experience (only two years), operated a non-traditional offense and has a lot to learn.”

Those and “rounded shoulders,” apparently.

Nawrocki also offered plenty of kind words about Manziel, as well, including “Exceptional game-day competitor – rises to the occasion. Has a passion for the game. Played on the biggest of stages and revels in having his back against the wall.”

As CBSSports.com points out, Nawrocki, formerly of Pro Football Weekly, enjoys these sharp-edged evaluations. Here was his assessment of Cam Newton three years ago: “Very disingenuous – has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup. Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them. Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law – does not command respect from teammates and always will struggle to win a locker room.”